Giants sign WR Victor Cruz to $46 mn contract extension

The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Victor Cruz, who is known for his salsa-dancing touchdown celebrations, to a five-year, $45.879 million contract extension.

"I feel relief. I feel I can just kick back and play football again," Cruz said.

Contract negotiations dragged on for months, with the team and Cruz appearing far apart at several junctures.

The deal includes $15.6 million in guaranteed money, NFL.com reported.

"This is just another step to getting where I want to be at the end of my career," Cruz said.

The 26-year-old Cruz was one of the top receivers in the NFL the past two seasons, catching 168 passes for 2,628 yards, a 15.6-yard average, with 19 touchdowns.

Cruz started all 16 games in the 2012 season and led the Giants with 86 receptions for 1,092 yards, with 10 TDs.

"I love to do well for my team and do well each and every year and continue to prove myself and not feel complacent and not feel I've done enough. I want to continue to have catches and yards and touchdowns and help my team win and get to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl," Cruz said.

Cruz, who is from Paterson, New Jersey, has gone from unknown to NFL star in the league's biggest market in just three years.

The wide receiver, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts in 2010, has been one of the NFL's feel-good stories the past two years.

"We are pleased to have this behind us," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "Now Victor can focus on football. Training camp is approaching quickly, and we all have a lot of work to do to get back where we want to be." EFE